Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 008078
The Special Research Grants Program Potato Research opportunity (USDA NIFA SRGP 008078) is a discretionary grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) under CFDA 10.200. Its core goal is to fund research that strengthens U.S. potato breeding pipelines by supporting varietal development and testing focused on producing improved potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties that are suitable for commercial production. In practical terms, the program is designed to move new potato cultivars from the research stage toward real-world adoption by growers and the broader potato industry.
The program defines "varietal development and testing" as research that uses conventional breeding methods and/or biotechnological genetics to create improved potato varieties. A key point in the description is that activities like evaluation, screening, and testing are considered part of the program only when they clearly support the larger objective of developing new or improved varieties. That means proposals should be centered on breeding and genetic improvement outcomes, with trials and assessments serving as evidence-building steps that help select, validate, and advance promising lines toward release or commercialization, rather than being stand-alone studies disconnected from a development pathway.
Eligibility is restricted to specific types of academic and research institutions tied to public agricultural research capacity. Applications may be submitted only by State agricultural experiment stations; land-grant colleges and universities; research foundations established by land-grant colleges and universities; colleges and universities that receive funds under the 1962 McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.); and accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine. While the applicant must be one of these eligible entities, funded recipients are allowed to subcontract portions of the work to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are needed to carry out the project. This structure allows collaborations with industry, nonprofits, or specialized labs, but keeps the primary award anchored in the eligible institution.
The notice also emphasizes that eligibility is enforced strictly at the time of the application deadline. If an organization does not meet the stated eligibility criteria by that deadline, the application can be removed from consideration. Even if an ineligible application is reviewed, NIFA will not make an award, so confirming institutional eligibility before submission is essential.
From the posted source data, the opportunity was created on 2020-12-28 and listed an original closing date of 2021-04-16. The funding instrument is a grant, and the listed award ceiling is $900,000. The synopsis does not provide additional details here about match requirements, project periods, or the exact number of anticipated awards (the "ExpectedAwards" field is present but not populated in the provided text), so applicants would typically need to consult the full funding announcement for budget structure, allowable costs, reporting expectations, and review criteria. Overall, the program is best understood as targeted support for applied potato breeding and genetics work that directly advances commercially viable new potato varieties through a clearly defined development and testing pipeline.Apply for USDA NIFA SRGP 008078
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Special Research Grants Program Potato Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.200.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2020-12-28.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-04-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $900,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Special Research Grants Program Potato Research opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The opportunity is identified as USDA NIFA SRGP 008078 under CFDA 10.200.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The core goal is to fund research that strengthens U.S. potato breeding pipelines by supporting varietal development and testing. The emphasis is on producing improved potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties that are suitable for commercial production and can move from research toward real-world adoption by growers and the potato industry.
What kinds of projects is the program designed to support?
The program is targeted to applied potato breeding and genetics work that directly advances commercially viable new potato varieties through a defined development and testing pipeline. Projects should be centered on breeding and genetic improvement outcomes rather than stand-alone evaluation studies.
How does the program define "varietal development and testing"?
"Varietal development and testing" is defined as research that uses conventional breeding methods and/or biotechnological genetics to create improved potato varieties.
Are evaluation, screening, and testing activities allowed under this opportunity?
Yes, but only when they clearly support the larger objective of developing new or improved potato varieties. The program treats evaluation, screening, and testing as in-scope when they function as evidence-building steps to select, validate, and advance promising lines toward release or commercialization, not as independent studies disconnected from varietal development.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The listed funding instrument is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The posted award ceiling is $900,000.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications may be submitted only by the following types of institutions:
- State agricultural experiment stations
- Land-grant colleges and universities
- Research foundations established by land-grant colleges and universities
- Colleges and universities that receive funds under the 1962 McIntire-Stennis Cooperative Forestry Research Act (16 U.S.C. 582a et seq.)
- Accredited schools or colleges of veterinary medicine
Can an eligible applicant include partners that are not eligible to apply directly?
Yes. Award recipients are allowed to subcontract portions of the work to organizations that are not themselves eligible to apply, as long as those partners are needed to carry out the project. This allows collaborations with industry, nonprofits, or specialized laboratories, while keeping the primary award with the eligible institution.
How strictly is eligibility enforced?
Eligibility is enforced strictly at the time of the application deadline. If an organization does not meet the stated eligibility criteria by that deadline, the application can be removed from consideration.
What happens if an ineligible organization submits an application?
Even if an ineligible application is reviewed, NIFA will not make an award. Confirming institutional eligibility before submission is essential.
When was this opportunity created, and what closing date is listed?
From the posted source data, the opportunity was created on 2020-12-28 and listed an original closing date of 2021-04-16.
Does the synopsis specify match requirements?
No. The provided synopsis does not include details about match requirements.
Does the synopsis specify project period length or the number of anticipated awards?
No. The provided text does not give project period details, and while an "ExpectedAwards" field is mentioned as present, it is not populated in the information provided.
What additional details are not included in the synopsis?
The synopsis does not provide details here about budget structure, allowable costs, reporting expectations, or review criteria. Applicants would typically need to consult the full funding announcement for those specifics.
What outcome orientation should proposals demonstrate?
Proposals should be clearly oriented toward developing new or improved potato varieties suitable for commercial production. Trials, screening, and testing should be framed as steps that help advance candidate lines toward release or commercialization within a coherent breeding pipeline.
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